Flow of Debate

Flow of Debate Page | 1

Flow of Debate
Roll Call
The Chair person will announce each country's name. After delegates hear their country, they should
answer "present."
Setting the Order of the Agenda
When Model AL Councils have more than one topic available, the body must set the order of the agenda
to begin working on one of these issues. At this time a delegate typically makes a motion, stating "The
country of [name] moves to place [topic A] first on the agenda, followed by [topic B]. Once the motion
has been made, three delegations must speak in favor on the motion, and three other delegations will
speak against it. These speeches should alternate between those in favor and those opposed. Once these
six speeches have been given, a vote is taken. Setting the agenda requires a simple majority vote.
Debate
Procedural Debate Substantive Debate
Procedural Debate revolves around a speakers
list. The chair begins by asking all delegates
interested in addressing the other members to
raise their placards. The Chair then chooses
delegates to be placed on the speakers list. A
country may only be on the speakers list once,
but delegates may add their country to the end of
the list after their speech.
Substantive Debate involves discussion outside of
the speakers list. During moderated caucuses, the
Chair calls on the delegates one-by-one so that each
can address the council in short speeches. During
unmoderated caucuses, the council breaks for
temporary recess so that delegates may meet each
other and discuss ideas.
1a. When the session begins, speeches focus on
stating county positions and offering
recommendations for action.
1b. After several countries state their position, the
council breaks for caucuses (often blocs) to develop
regional positions.
2a. After blocs have met, speeches focus on
describing bloc position to the entire body.
2b. Writing begins as countries work together
composes draft resolution.
3a. Delegates now make statements describing
their draft resolution to the council.
3b. Countries and groups meet to gather support to
compose specific draft resolution.
4a. Delegates try to gamer more support through
procedural speeches and invite others to offer
ideas.
4b. Delegates finalize draft resolution.
5a. Delegates make statements supporting or
disagreeing with specific draft resolutions.
5b. Draft Resolution sponsors build greater support
for their resolution and look to incorporate others'
ideas through friendly amendments.
6a. Delegates present any amendments they
have created

Close of Debate
Once the speakers list is exhausted, the council automatically moves to voting. Also, once a delegate
feels that his or her country's position is clear to others and that are enough to draft resolution on the
floor, he or she may make a motion to voting procedure by moving for closure of debate.
Voting Procedure
Once a motion to close debate has been approved, the council moves into voting procedure.
Amendments are voted on first, then resolutions. Once all of the resolutions are voted on, the council
moves to the next topic on the agenda.